Nicholson has been linked with a move to Deepdale for months

Preston have completed the signing of former Aberdeen midfielder Barry Nicholson on a two-year deal on a Bosman free transfer.

The 29-year-old Scottish player is boss Alan Irvine's first capture of the summer after he passed his medical.

Irvine told BBC Radio Lancashire: "I'm delighted. He made it very clear from the start that despite all the interest he wanted to sign for Preston.

"I'm happy to have a player who desperately wants to play for us."

Nicholson, who started his career with Rangers, had been linked with a move to Deepdale for several months.

He made more than 100 appearances for the Pittodrie club, before rejecting a new deal to seek a move to England.